Rotor Disk Spoke Openings for Thermal Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional synchronous reluctance machine rotor disks face issues with temperature differences leading to thermal tensions and deformation due to inadequate heat conduction and stiffness, resulting in potential damage from centrifugal and thermal loads.
Innovation Solution
The rotor disk design incorporates radial spoke openings that reduce heat conduction properties and increase deformation flexibility by distributing non-occupied areas over significant angular and radial distances, allowing for even temperature distribution and reduced mechanical stiffness without permanent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the rotor disk uses solid spokes with high heat conduction, then heat can be effectively conducted away from flux paths, but temperature differences between spokes and remaining flux paths become excessive causing thermal tensions and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The spoke openings are positioned specifically in the radial inner region of the spokes, creating local thermal insulation where it is most needed. This local modification reduces heat conduction in the critical radial inner region while maintaining structural integrity, thereby reducing temperature differences and thermal tensions without compromising overall rotor performance
2Strength
If the rotor disk uses solid spokes for structural strength, then the rotor can withstand centrifugal loads, but the rotor disk experiences excessive deformation under centrifugal force
Solution Approach 1:
The spoke openings create a porous or hollow structure within the spokes, reducing the overall stiffness of the spoke while maintaining its load-bearing capacity. This allows the rotor disk to deform more flexibly under centrifugal force, preventing excessive stress concentration and potential failure, while still withstanding the centrifugal loads
3Shape
If the rotor disk uses narrow ribs and bridges to connect flux paths, then the magnetic structure is maintained, but heat conduction capacity becomes inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The spoke openings segment the continuous spoke structure into separate regions, creating thermal barriers that reduce heat conduction from the hot flux paths to the cooler spoke regions. This segmentation allows the narrow ribs and bridges to maintain magnetic structure integrity while reducing the harmful heat conduction that causes temperature differences and thermal tensions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design effectively mitigates thermal tensions and allows greater deformation of the rotor disk without damage, enhancing its ability to withstand centrifugal and thermal loads by reducing temperature differences and distributing mechanical stresses.
Implementation Method 1
the heat conduction properties and stiffness of the rotor disk have been modified by providing openings in radial extending spokes
Implementation Method 2
the ability of the rotor disk to stand centrifugal and thermal loads
Data Source
AI summary
A rotor disk for a rotor of a synchronous reluctance machine consists of a disk body material with high magnetic permeability. In order to improve the ability of the rotor disk to stand centrifugal and thermal loads, spokes extending in radial direction between a shaft opening and a disk periphery are provided with spoke openings. These openings extend over a wide distance both in circumferential direction and in radial direction to worsen the heat conducting properties of the spokes and to render the spokes less stiff.